Foot-stabilizing shoe inserts

ABSTRACT

An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe. In one embodiment the article comprises a substantially-planar base portion having a length dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a circumferential edge. A first elevated portion is provided comprising at least one edge and having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, with the first elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of the base portion sufficiently to have a closest edge that is closest to the toe end of the base portion. A second elevated portion is present having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, with the second elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of the first elevated portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to footwear. More particularly, itrelates to inserts useful for preventing undesirable motion of the footof a human subject who is wearing a shoe.

BACKGROUND

High-heeled shoes have been in popular use for decades. However, whileshoes are typically manufactured to fit a large number of potentialconsumers, in some cases, owing to variance in the human body, not allshoes fit all persons equally. Indeed, some women have opined that aproblem exists in high-heeled shoes that their feet have a tendency tomove downwardly into such shoes as they walk, under the influence ofgravitational forces. Such tendency leads in many cases to discomfortand in extreme cases, physical pain.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirablemotion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe. In one embodimentthe article comprises a substantially-planar base portion having alength dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, aheel end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a circumferential edge.There is a first elevated portion comprising at least one edge andhaving a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension,and a thickness dimension, with the first elevated portion beingdisposed on the top surface of the base portion sufficiently to have aclosest edge that is closest to the toe end of the base portion. Thereis a second elevated portion having a top surface, an overall lengthdimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, with the secondelevated portion being disposed on the top surface of the first elevatedportion. The second elevated portion may or may not be disposedsubstantially centrally upon the top surface of the first elevatedportion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shoe insert according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an overhead perspective view of a shoe insert according toone embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a left side elevation view of a shoe insert according toone embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an end view of a shoe insert according to one embodiment ofthe disclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a shoe insert according to the disclosuredisposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 there is shown aperspective view of a shoe insert 10 according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. In this FIG. 1 there is provided a base portion 3, which issubstantially planar in configuration and is preferably comprised from asynthetic polymeric material, although natural polymers and othersubstances, including composite materials, may suffice as a material ofconstruction from which such base portion 3 may be comprised. When apolymeric material is selected, such polymeric material may be athermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer, including withoutlimitation thermoplastic vulcanizates, rubbers, EP rubber, butadienepolymers, polyolefins including homopolymers and copolymers of propyleneand ethylene with any C1 to C6 olefin monomer, elastomers, PVC,neoprene, isoprene, and blends of any of the foregoing with one anotherto the extent that such mixtures are compatible, including blends of anyof the foregoing with any other materials generally known in the polymerarts as being useful materials from which shoe inserts may be comprised,including without limitation fillers, colorants, odor-absorbingsubstances, and compatibility-enhancement agents. The foregoing includespolymeric foams and other foamed materials capable of providing cushionand/or elasticity to lessen shock forces delivered to the foot when ashoe is worn which includes a shoe insert 10 according to thedisclosure. These include polyurethane and polyurea, polyolefin, andrubber-based foams having relatively small cell structure, as such areknown in the art.

In one embodiment there is a first elevated portion 5 disposed on thebase portion 3, which first elevated portion 5 extends substantiallyacross the shoe insert 10 very near its toe end TE, having its closestedge thereto being disposed typically at a distance from the toe endthat is equal to about the width W2 (FIG. 2) of the first elevatedportion 5 as viewed from overhead. Also shown is the heel end HE of thebase portion 3. The first elevated portion 5 includes a top surface TS1(FIG. 4) which is elevated, as seen from a side elevation view, withrespect to the surface of the base portion 3.

In one embodiment, there is a second elevated portion 7 disposed atopthe first elevated portion, and centrally located thereabouts, with thesecond elevated portion having a top surface TS2 (FIG. 4) that is moredistal with respect to the top surface T (FIG. 3) of the base portion 3than is the top surface of the first elevated portion, as seen from aside elevation view. In one embodiment, the first and second elevatedportions 5, 7 respectively, each have a flat top surface, as later shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. These surfaces may be thought of as being plateauareas, and this disclosure includes embodiments in which these topsurfaces are flat, include concavity, or include convexity. In oneembodiment the second elevated portion is contoured so as to fit on thetop of the first elevated portion 5 and the outer boundaries of thesecond elevated portion 7 do not extend beyond the boundaries of thefootprint of the first elevated portion 5, as viewed from an overheadperspective view.

In one embodiment, the base portion 3, first elevated portion 5, andsecond elevated portion 7 are all of singular construction, comprising asingle article of manufacture, which is made by an injection mouldingprocess, stamping, thermoforming or other process known in the art forproviding polymeric articles. In another embodiment, the base portion 3,first elevated portion 5, and second elevated portion 7 are separateelements, and are affixed to one another to provide the shoe insert 10using conventional fastening means which may include adhesives,fasteners, and thermowelding. In another embodiment, any two elementsselected from the group consisting of: the base portion 3, firstelevated portion 5, and second elevated portion 7 are of singularconstruction, while the remaining one is discrete and is affixed to thestructure comprising the other two by any methods aforesaid. In apreferred embodiment, the shoe insert 10 is of singular construction. Inone embodiment, the circumferential edge of the shoe insert comprises abevel 8 around the perimeter of the top surface of the base portion 3.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of a shoe insert 10 according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. In this FIG. 2 is shown the overall lengthdimension L1 of a shoe insert 10. Additionally, the overall width W1 ofa shoe insert 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The width W2 ofthe first elevated portion 5 is also shown, as well as the lengths L3,L4, and L5 of portions of the first elevated portion 5, and secondelevated portion 7. The distance D is the distance between the toe endTE of the shoe insert 10 and the edge of the first elevated portion 5 atabout the midpoint of the first elevated portion 5.

In one embodiment, the overall length dimension L1 is about 8centimeters. However, a shoe insert according to this disclosure mayhave any overall length L1 between about 6 centimeters and about 12centimeters, including all lengths and ranges of lengths therebetween.

In one embodiment, the overall width dimension W1 is about 7centimeters. However, a shoe insert according to this disclosure mayhave any overall width W1 between about 4 centimeters and about 10centimeters, including all widths and ranges of widths therebetween.

In one embodiment, the width dimension W2 is about 1 centimeter.However, a shoe insert according to this disclosure may have any widthW2 between about 0.5 centimeters and about 5 centimeters, including allwidths and ranges of widths therebetween.

In one embodiment, the length dimensions L3, L4, and L5 aresubstantially equal to one another, and are about 2 centimeters.However, in a shoe insert according to this the length dimensions L3,L4, and L5 may be any length between about 1 centimeter and about 4centimeters, including all lengths and ranges of lengths therebetween.

In another embodiment, the length dimensions L3, L4, and L5 are notsubstantially equal to one another, and may be any length between about1 centimeter and about 4 centimeters independent of one another,including all widths and ranges of widths therebetween. In oneembodiment, the dimension D is about 1 centimeter; however a shoe insertaccording to this disclosure may have any dimension D between about 1millimeter and about 3 centimeters, including all dimensions and rangesof dimensions therebetween. In one embodiment the first elevated portionis disposed on the top surface of the base portion such that the closestedge of the first elevated portion is disposed at a distance from thetoe end of the base portion that is about equal to the width of thefirst elevated portion. In another embodiment, the first elevatedportion is disposed on the top surface of the base portion such that theclosest edge of the first elevated portion is disposed at a distancefrom the toe end of the base portion that is at least the width of thefirst elevated portion. In another embodiment, the first elevatedportion is disposed on the top surface of the base portion such that theclosest edge of the first elevated portion is disposed at a distancefrom the toe end of the base portion that is at least one millimetergreater than the width of the first elevated portion.

The dimension L2 is the total length span of the first elevated portion5 across the width of the shoe insert 10. In general, L2 is less than W1by any amount between about 0.5 cm and about 2 cm, including all spanlengths and ranges of span lengths therebetween; however L2 may belonger than W1. In one embodiment L2 is about 6 centimeters; however, ashoe insert 10 according to this disclosure may have any span length L2in the range of between about 3 centimeters and about 10 centimeters,including all span lengths and ranges of span lengths therebetween. Inparticular embodiments, the first elevated portion 5 is of sufficientlength dimension L2 that the first elevated portion 5 extends across thebase portion 3 in an amount that is at least about 70% of the widthdimension W1 of the base portion.

While the foregoing dimensions have been expressed in terms of ranges ofdimensions, it is to be appreciated that the present disclosure does notembrace mathematically impossible structures, and one of ordinary skillmay easily select these various dimensions to arrive at a shoe insert 10according to this disclosure. In one preferred embodiment: L1 is about7.5 cm; L2 is about 6 cm; L3 is about 2.3 cm; L4 is about 2.5 cm; L5 isabout 2.3 cm; W1 is about 6.5 cm; W2 is about 2 cm; and D is about 1.3cm. In another embodiment, these figures are exact.

Although the base portion 3 is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising four sideswith convex contours, a base portion 3 according to the disclosure mayexist in other shapes, including shapes which include at least onestraight edge, shapes which include at least one concave edge, baseportions which exist in the shape of polygons, either regular orirregular, including without limitation circular base portions,rectangular base portions, and trapezoidal base portions.

Although the first elevated portion 5 and second elevated portion 7 aredepicted in FIG. 2 as being trapezoidal in their overall shape,comprising convex and concave edges, the first elevated portion 5 andsecond elevated portion 7 may exist in other shapes, including shapeswhich include at least one straight edge, shapes which include at leastone concave edge, first and second elevated portions which independentlyexist in the shape of polygons, either regular or irregular, includingwithout limitation circular first and second elevated portions,rectangular first and second elevated portions, and trapezoidal firstand second elevated portions.

FIG. 3 shows a left side elevation view of a shoe insert 10 according toone embodiment of the disclosure. In this FIG. 3 are shown therespective locations of the base portion 3, first elevated portion 5,second elevated portion 7, and bevel 8 around the circumferential edgeof the shoe insert 10 as a whole. The base portion, while being ofsingular construct in one embodiment, may itself comprise a first baseelement 9 having perpendicular edges and a second base element 11 havingan angled edge, as shown. In such embodiments, the first base element 9and second base element 11 are each substantially planar and areattached to one another using any suitable means as described earlier,each being comprised of materials already described herein. Also labeledin FIG. 3 is the top surface T of the base portion 3.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of a shoe insert 10 according to one embodimentof the disclosure. In FIG. 4 are shown the respective locations of thebase portion 3, first elevated portion 5, second elevated portion 7 asviewed from the toe end TE.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is the thickness T1 of the base portion 3, which inone embodiment is about 2 millimeters. However, this disclosure includesshoe inserts 10 having a base portion 3 whose thickness is any value inthe range of between about one millimeter and about four millimeters,including all thicknesses and ranges of thicknesses therebetween.Additionally shown is the thickness T2 of the first elevated portion 5,which in one embodiment is about 3 millimeters. However, this disclosureincludes shoe inserts 10 having a first elevated portion 5 whosethickness is any value in the range of between about one millimeter andabout six millimeters, including all thicknesses and ranges ofthicknesses therebetween. Further shown is the thickness T3 of thesecond elevated portion 7, which in one embodiment is about 2millimeters. However, this disclosure includes shoe inserts 10 having asecond elevated portion 7 whose thickness is any value in the range ofbetween about one millimeter and about five millimeters, including allthicknesses and ranges of thicknesses therebetween. Also labeled in FIG.4 is the bottom surface B of the base portion 3.

When the base portion 3 is comprised of a first base element 9 and asecond base element 11, in one embodiment each of these elements areabout one millimeter thick; however each may independently have anythickness in the range of between about 0.3 mm and about 4 mm, includingall thicknesses and ranges of thicknesses therebetween, subject to theircombined thickness are desirably within the described range ofthicknesses specified for the base portion 3.

In one preferred embodiment: L1 is about 7.5 cm; L2 is about 6 cm; L3 isabout 2.3 cm; L4 is about 2.5 cm; L5 is about 2.3 cm; W1 is about 6.5cm; W2 is about 2 cm; D is about 1.3 cm; T1 is about 2 millimeters; T2is about 3 millimeters; and T3 is about 2 millimeters. In anotherembodiment, these figures are exact.

In certain embodiments, the top surface T and bottom surface B of thebase portion 3 comprise surface treatments, which may include surfaceroughenings or texturing (R in FIG. 1), for the purpose of increasingthe grip between the shoe insert 10 and either one or both of the footor stocking of a wearer, or the grip between the shoe insert 10 and theshoe. Such roughenings or texturing can include cross-hatches, treadssuch as are on tires or tennis shoes, depressions, protrusions, or anysurface feature which enhances the interaction between the wearer'sfoot/stocking or the insert 10 and the inside of the shoe itself. A shoeinsert 10 according to one embodiment comprises an adhesive disposed onthe bottom surface B of the base portion 3 to affix the shoe insert 10in a stationary position within a shoe in which it is disposed.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a shoe insert according to the disclosuredisposed therein. Women wearing high-heeled shoes often face adisadvantage, in that shoes are made to fit the general population,while there is no small degree of variance among people regarding thecontours of the bottom of their feet. Some women express opinions thattheir feet have a tendency to sink into the shoe, that is, their toesbecome compressed towards the front of a high-heeled shoe by virtue ofwalking, under the ubiquitous effect of gravity. By this disclosure,owing to the structures provided herein, the dimensions and dispositionsof the first elevated portion 5 and second elevated portion 7, whenconsidered with the shoe insert 10 as a whole, prevents this squishingof the toes downward. This is accomplished by positioning the shoeinsert 10 in such location that the first elevated portion 5 and secondelevated portion 7 is caused to reside in a location in the interior ofthe shoe and atop the sole, as pictured, so that the first elevatedportion 5 and second elevated portion 7 are disposed in the spacebetween the proximal phalanxes and metatarsals of the foot, which somemay refer to as the collective space between the toes and the ball ofthe foot. Such an arrangement provides support on the bottom of the footat the metatarsals, which forces would otherwise have been channeledthrough other portions of the foot, including the toe bones, and wouldbe directed towards the inner confines of the shoe, straps, etc.,eventually stretching the shoe, once the person has worn them enough,after which time their feet would have become quite compressed in theshoes, causing in many cases pain of varying degrees, and overallgeneral discomfort. A shoe insert provided and used according to thisdisclosure can generally prevent or lessen such stretching of shoes andthe accompanying discomfort.

Thus it is seen that the disclosure provides an article useful as aninsert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of ahuman subject within the shoe, that the article may be thought of ascomprising a substantially-planar base portion having a top surface andhaving a ridge disposed thereon, with the ridge collectively comprisinga first elevated portion and a second elevated portion, in which thesecond elevated portion is disposed over the first elevated portionsufficiently to provide at least two plateau areas of different heightwith respect to the top surface of the base portion, as viewed from aside perspective. The plateau areas may comprise a flat top surface, ormay include concavity or convexity on their surfaces.

In alternate embodiments, a shoe insert 10 according to this disclosurecomprises an optional covering or layer disposed on the top surface ofbase portion 3. In one embodiment, such optional covering or layer maycomprise a coating comprising any polymeric material including withoutlimitation those mentioned above. In another embodiment, such optionalcovering or layer may comprise any fabric material, woven or non-woven,including natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Such optional coveringsor layers may be applied to the top surface of the base portion 3 usingconventional means, such as adhesives, or may be directly applied to thetop surface of the base portion 3. However, any means of attachment ofsuch optional covering or layer generally known in the art is suitable.The optional covering or layer in one embodiment covers the entire topsurface of the base portion 3. In other embodiments only any portionthereof desired is covered, which may or may not include the firstelevated portion and second elevated portion, depending on thepreferences of the user.

This disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments andmodifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occurto others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore,it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particularembodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying outthis disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the appended claims.

1) An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirablemotion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe, which articlecomprises: a) a substantially planar base portion having a lengthdimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heelend, a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential edge; b) afirst elevated portion comprising at least one edge and having a topsurface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thicknessdimension, said first elevated portion being disposed on the top surfaceof said base portion sufficiently to have a closest edge that is closestto said toe end of said base portion; c) a second elevated portionhaving a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension,and a thickness dimension, said second elevated portion being disposedon the top surface of said first elevated portion; d) an optionalcovering disposed on the top surface of said base portion, said optionalcovering being selected from the group consisting of: fabrics andpolymeric materials, wherein the first elevated portion is of sufficientlength dimension that it extends across the base portion in an amountthat is at least about 70% of the width dimension of said base portion2) An article according to claim 1 wherein said second elevated portionis disposed substantially centrally upon the top surface of said firstelevated portion. 3) An article according to claim 1 wherein said firstelevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said base portionsuch that the closest edge of said first elevated portion is disposed ata distance from the toe end of said base portion that is about equal tothe width of said first elevated portion. 4) An article according toclaim 1 wherein said first elevated portion is disposed on said topsurface of said base portion such that the closest edge of said firstelevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end of said baseportion that is at least one millimeter greater than the width of saidfirst elevated portion. 5) An article according to claim 1 wherein saidfirst elevated portion and said second elevated portion are shapedsubstantially as trapezoids having two relatively short sides and tworelatively long sides, wherein one of the relatively long sides isconcave and the other of the long sides is convex on both the firstelevated portion and said second elevated portion. 6) An articleaccording to claim 1 wherein said circumferential edge is beveled. 7) Anarticle according to claim 1 wherein the combined thickness of said baseportion, said first elevated portion, and said second elevated portionis any thickness in the range of between about three millimeters andabout fifteen millimeters, including all thicknesses and ranges ofthicknesses therebetween. 8) An article according to claim 1 whereinsaid top surface of said first elevated portion is substantially flat.9) An article according to claim 1 wherein said top surface of saidsecond elevated portion is substantially flat. 10) An article accordingto claim 1 wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottomsurface of said base portion includes a feature selected from the groupconsisting of: an adhesive and a surface roughening. 11) An articleuseful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of thefoot of a human subject within the shoe, which article comprises: a) asubstantially planar base portion having a length dimension, a widthdimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heel end, a top surface,a bottom surface and a circumferential edge; b) a first elevated portioncomprising at least one edge and having a top surface, an overall lengthdimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, said firstelevated portion being disposed on the top surface of said base portionsufficiently to have an edge that is closest to said toe end of saidbase portion; c) a second elevated portion having a top surface, anoverall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension,said second elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of saidfirst elevated portion, wherein said second elevated portion is notdisposed substantially centrally upon the top surface of said firstelevated portion. 12) An article according to claim 11 wherein saidfirst elevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said baseportion such that the closest edge of said first elevated portion isdisposed at a distance from the toe end of said base portion that isabout equal to the width of said first elevated portion. 13) An articleaccording to claim 11 wherein said first elevated portion is disposed onsaid top surface of said base portion such that the closest edge of saidfirst elevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end ofsaid base portion that is at least one millimeter greater than the widthof said first elevated portion. 14) An article according to claim 11wherein said first elevated portion and said second elevated portion areshaped substantially as trapezoids having two relatively short sides andtwo relatively long sides, wherein one of the relatively long sides isconcave and the other of the long sides is convex on both the firstelevated portion and said second elevated portion. 15) An articleaccording to claim 11 wherein said circumferential edge is beveled. 16)An article according to claim 11 wherein the combined thickness of saidbase portion, said first elevated portion, and said second elevatedportion is any thickness in the range of between about three millimetersand about fifteen millimeters, including all thicknesses and ranges ofthicknesses therebetween. 17) An article according to claim 11 whereinsaid top surface of said first elevated portion is substantially flat.18) An article according to claim 11 wherein said top surface of saidsecond elevated portion is substantially flat. 19) An article accordingto claim 11 wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottomsurface of said base portion includes a feature selected from the groupconsisting of: an adhesive and a surface roughening. 20) An articleuseful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of thefoot of a human subject when disposed within the shoe, which articlecomprises a substantially-planar base portion having a top surfacehaving a ridge disposed thereon, said ridge comprising a first elevatedportion and a second elevated portion, with the second elevated portionbeing disposed upon the first elevated portion, sufficient to provide atleast two plateau areas of different height with respect to the topsurface of the base portion, as viewed from a side perspective.